2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel
Take a 2-day trip through the Avenue of the Volcanoes towards two of the most important landmarks in the Ecuadorian Sierra: Cotapaxi and Quilotoa. On day one, visit Cotopaxi Volcano and climb up to the first refugee, take an optional bike ride afterwards. Lodge in the comfy Chuquiragua lodge and get ready for your next adventure. On day two, ride towards Quilotoa Crater Lagoon for an amazing hike. Visit Tigua artisan’s town to end you adventure before returning back to Quito.
ItineraryDay 1: Quito to Cotopaxi VolcanoStop At: Plaza Foch, Calle Foch y Reina Victoria esquina, Quito 170150 Ecuador
Meet at 6:45am with the guide and the group at the designated meeting point in Quito.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
At 7am we leave by car driving south of Quito for approx. 1.5-hour through the Pan-American highway aka. Avenue of the Volcanoes. We'll then reach the park entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and the get ready to enjoy a fresh Andean-style breakfast.
Pass By: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Drive through pine forest and soon reach the Interpretation Center Mariscal and get to know the volcano and its unique fauna and flora.
Stop At: Laguna de Limpiopungo, Latacunga Ecuador
Afterwards, and depending on the physical abilities of the group, drive towards Limpiopungo Lake located at 3.800 m or Rinconada camping zone, to enjoy a hike around this stunning environment to observe birds and the magnificent view of Cotopaxi Volcano
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Get your helmets, gloves on and begin your bike adventure. Bike on dirt roads through volcanic ash and a tundra landscape for about 7 kilometers until the North gate of the Park and continue along the Paramo landscape until reaching the main entrance of the park. 10 km. approx. - ride on paved road). Cross the main gate and bike along a short pine forest single trek to reach the main road (optional).
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
A stop between activities will give us time to enjoy a well-deserved lunch to regain strength.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Hotel Casa Sakiwa, De Los Quishuares N6-66 y Los Mortiños, Machachi 170350, Ecuador
Say goodbye to the volcano and get in the van again to drive back. Drop-off at Hotel Casa Sakiwa in Machachi.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Lodge in the comfy Hotel Casa Sakiwa
Day 2: Machachi to Quilotoa LagoonPass By: Chuquiragua Lodge, C937+P3G, El chaupi, Ecuador
Pick-up form Hotel Casa Sakiwa. The first stop will be Latacunga City at Cotopaxi Province. From this point, head west for a 1-hour drive through the unforgettable Andean scenery towards the village of Quilotoa.
Stop At: Mercado Indigena, Saquisili Ecuador
Visit a local town and get in contact with the Andean culture (either Saquisilí or Pujilí). Get the chance to mix with the rich Andean culture of the local community that inhabits the surrounding area by visiting either Saquisil, Pujili or Zimbahua Indian markets (depends on the day).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Laguna Quilotoa, Laguna de Quilotoa, 070701 Ecuador
The lovely town of Zimbahua comes right before we start hiking down towards the turquoise colored Quilotoa Lagoon. Trek around this natural wonder of water holding strong minerals, formed by the collapsed volcanic caldera. From the rim hike down towards the banks of the lagoon and then climb back up.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Tigua, 39FF+HMJ, Latacunga, Ecuador
Have lunch at a local restaurant and then stop at the small town Tigua (famous for the Tigua art - paintings made with chicken feather brushes over sheep hide canvas - a celebration of the mountain life, the festivals, the legends, and traditions of the area). In the late afternoon, head back to Quito.
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not recommended for travelers with back problems"
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather or events beyond our control (force mejeure) no refunds are applicable."
"Important: we recommend you to bring warm clothes (layers), eaterproof jacket, gloves, sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes, extra pair of socks, extra pants, sunglasses, sun cream and walking stick, water bottle"
"The tour is not private. Travelers will share services with a group. Maximum people per tour 12"
"NOTE: This is a sample itinerary. Please keep in mind that due to the nature of this tour and the given that Cotopaxi is an active volcano, this itinerary may vary."
"Not recommended for pregnant travelers"
"No heart problems or other serious medical conditions"
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability"
Start Time:
07:00 AM
Duration: 2 Days
Start location: Mariscal Foch 681, Quito 170143, Ecuador
Cancellations and refunds:
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.